In The News

The Global Poverty Trap

Robert J. Samuelson November 27, 2007
Prior to 1800, Asia and Europe enjoyed similar technological capabilities and advances, but economies were generally stagnant. After 1800, the Industrial Revolution gave England a decided competitive edge. A supportive culture, not religion, was a factor behind that surge of innovation, theorizes Gergory Clark, author of “A Farewell to Arms: A Brief Economic History of the World.” Middle-class...

Venezuela Scrambles for Food Despite Oil Boom

Rory Carroll November 15, 2007
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has gained both prestige and notoriety for his use of oil diplomacy throughout Latin America. An oil boom combined with Chávez’s socialist policies has had two consequences: a surge of imported luxury goods and a shortage of food staples. According to the research group Datanalisis, as much as a quarter of the supply of food staples is “disrupted,” and any stock...

A Villain to Our Rescue

Robert J. Samuelson November 9, 2007
Politicians, activists and even some business executives in the West blame globalization for a lot of problems. But the US has benefited from foreign trade. “Contrary to popular opinion, the trade balance (deficit or surplus) barely affects total U.S. employment over long periods,” writes Robert Samuelson for the Washington Post. Some types of foreign competition do hurt some individual workers...

Using Chavez as Counterpoint, Bush Pursues Latin Trade Pacts

Steven R. Weisman November 7, 2007
In an effort to push new trade accords with Peru, Panama and Colombia through US Congress, President Bush has repeatedly insisted that these accords would strengthen democracy in the region and weaken the influence of Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez. Democrats, labor unions and advocacy groups – Bush’s main opposition to this agenda – are skeptical of rhetoric that makes free trade a synonym for...

Dare to Compare?

Kathy Tzilivakis November 2, 2007
The nations of Europe offer a mixed bag when it comes to welcoming immigrants, according to a study from the British Council and the Migration Policy Group, a Brussels-based think tank, partially funded by the European Commission. The Migrant Integration Policy Index assesses countries based on labor-market access, family reunification, long-term residence, political participation, access to...

Bad Neighbor

October 22, 2007
International criticism of the Myanmar military junta for violent repression of recent protests includes US and EU sanctions and a UN Security Council condemnation. But the junta shows no signs of ending its brutal and rigid control. Neighboring states like China, India and the member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are the largest economic partners of Burma, renamed...

Why Climate Change Can't Be Stopped

Paul J. Saunders October 18, 2007
Most world leaders agree that global warming is a real and pressing issue, and are ready for any ideas on how to stop, fix or adapt to the problem. Environmentalists still express hope that conservation - some immediate sacrifices - could save species, habitats and even some human lives. “Unfortunately, given the scale and complexity of modern economies and the time required for new technologies...